Pendleton moves to fire police chief over offensive Facebook posts

An Indiana police chief could lose his job over multiple offensive posts on his Facebook page, according to documents.

On Thursday, the Pendleton Town Council voted to terminate Police Chief Marc Farrer, a document provided to IndyStar by the town's attorney shows. Officials determined that the posts "reflect and promote biases" held by Farrer and "compromise" his ability to serve the public as a law-enforcement officer in a "fair, impartial and nondiscriminatory manner."

Farrer, who is also the town marshal, couldn't immediately be reached on Thursday. A message was left for his attorney.

Several of the posts seemed to mock transgender people. One post features a meme of two laughing police officers that said: "Nike called and said they are being looted by Black Lives Matter and I said, call the NFL for help." The post was apparently shared days after Nike released a controversial ad campaign that featured Colin Kaepernick, a former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who protests against police brutality.

Another post featured a person with a noose around his neck and the word "Liberals" above him. The person appears to be watering a small tree with a noose around it. The word "Islam" is above the tree.

The posts were apparently shared or posted by Farrer in September, December and this month.

The council found that Farrer exhibited "conduct unbecoming an officer" and "neglect of duty," the document shows. Indiana law allows for a town or township's safety board to dismiss, demote or discipline a member of a police or fire department if the person is found to be guilty of such behavior.

"Based on this conduct, the Safety Board (town council) has determined that you should be terminated effective immediately, subject to your right to a hearing," the document said.

Indiana law entitles Farrer to a hearing to contest the move to terminate him. He has no more than five days to request the hearing after receiving notice of his dismissal.

If Farrer appeals the decision, a hearing will be held on Feb. 9, according to the document. Farrer's job will depend on the outcome. If he doesn't appeal, his termination will be final.